The absence of a skywalk or nearby alternative crossing at Bengaluru’s Hebbagodi Metro station is forcing commuters to walk up to 2-3 km to reach the other side of National Highway 44, according to a report by Prajavani. The access problem is affecting older residents, students, parents and employees who use the station every day.
The station is located on NH-44 and is used by thousands of people, the report said. After getting off the Metro, passengers have to walk roughly 2 km to cross the highway. The underpass near the police station is more than 1 km away, while reaching schools on the other side can require another 1.5-2 km of walking.
The problem is particularly difficult for students and parents. More than seven schools and colleges are located near the station, including National Public School, SFS and D Sales, according to the report. Students travelling from Electronic City, Bommanahalli and Silk Board use the Metro, but must walk long distances carrying school bags after leaving the station.
Parents also gather near the road during the morning and evening peaks to drop off or collect children. The absence of a direct pedestrian crossing has turned the station’s last-mile connection into a longer and more difficult journey for families using public transport.
The existing underpass is also raising sanitation concerns. Passengers who walk 1-1.5 km to reach it have to pass through a space that, according to the report, smells of urine and has betel-nut stains on its walls. The condition is making commuters uncomfortable as they use the only reported crossing route available to them.
Residents of Kammasandra and Ananth Nagar, where many information technology employees live, have also reported difficulties. Pratima, an IT employee, said workers are required to walk considerable distances because there is no skywalk near the station. Another resident, Latha, said commuters are spending between ₹100 and ₹150 each day on autorickshaws to avoid the walk. She said a skywalk near the station would ease the daily commute.
Local resident Girigauda said Metro passengers and people travelling to the other side of NH-44 need either a skywalk or an underpass close to the station. He said older people, women and students currently have no convenient alternative.
The reported access gap highlights the importance of pedestrian links around Metro stations, particularly where stations are separated from schools, residential areas and workplaces by a high-speed highway. The Prajavani report did not include a response from the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation, the road authorities or the civic administration on whether a skywalk or a new crossing is planned. The next step for commuters will be to seek clarity from the relevant authorities on a safe, accessible crossing near Hebbagodi Metro station.
